Marisa Abela
Marisa Abela | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 7, 1996 Brighton, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | Industry, Back to Black |
Marisa Gabrielle Abela (born 7 December 1996) is a British actress recognized for her leading role in the BBC Two and HBO drama series Industry (2020–present), which earned her the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. She also featured in a recurring capacity on Sky One's political thriller COBRA (2020). Abela took on the role of Amy Winehouse in the 2024 biographical drama Back to Black and appeared in Steven Soderbergh's espionage drama Black Bag (2025). In 2023, she was honored as a Screen International Star of Tomorrow and received a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award.
Early life and education
Marisa was born in Brighton to actress Caroline Gruber and director Angelo Abela. She was raised in Rottingdean alongside her elder brother Jack. Her father has Maltese and Libyan roots, while her mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. Her parents separated when she was four years old.
She secured a drama scholarship to attend Roedean School and took part in Theatre Workshop sessions before committing to an acting career. Abela completed her studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2019.
Career
Abela’s acting debut came at age 11 with the role of Alice in the thriller Man in a Box (2008). Following her graduation from RADA, she made her television debut in 2020, starring as Ellie Sutherland in Sky One’s political thriller COBRA. Her breakthrough came with the portrayal of Yasmin Kara-Hanani in the BBC Two and HBO workplace drama Industry (2020–present). Maddy Mussen from the London Evening Standard described her as the "true star of season three," emphasizing her captivating performance. This role garnered her the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. In 2022, she appeared in the films She Is Love and Rogue Agent. Additionally, in July 2022, Abela joined Greta Gerwig’s Barbie (2023) playing a minor part as Teen Talk Barbie.
In 2024, Abela starred as Amy Winehouse in Back to Black, a biopic directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. Although the film received mixed critical reception, Abela’s portrayal was widely acclaimed. Critics such as Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian praised her for delivering a sensitive and moving performance. Damon Wise of Deadline Hollywood highlighted her ability to embody Winehouse beyond scripted lines, while Leslie Felperin described her work as "intensely physical," applauding how she conveyed Winehouse’s vulnerability, intellect, and self-destructive nature. In 2025, she earned a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. That same year, she featured in Steven Soderbergh’s spy thriller Black Bag, sharing the screen with Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett.
Abela is set to voice and portray Elizabeth Bennet in an upcoming Audible adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Her co-stars include Harris Dickinson as Mr. Darcy, Will Poulter as Mr. Wickham, Jessie Buckley as Caroline Bingley, Toheeb Jimoh as Mr. Bingley, and Glenn Close as Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Personal life
In 2020, Abela received a diagnosis of thyroid cancer and underwent an extensive eight-hour surgery to excise the tumor, followed by treatment with radioiodine therapy.
By July 2024, Abela became engaged to actor Jamie Bogyo, whom she met during their time at the RADA. The couple tied the knot in September 2025.
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Man in a Box | Alice | ||
| 2022 | Rogue Agent | Sophie Jones | ||
| She Is Love | Louise | |||
| 2023 | Barbie | Teen Talk Barbie | ||
| 2024 | Back to Black | Amy Winehouse | ||
| 2025 | Black Bag | Clarissa Dubose |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | COBRA | Ellie Sutherland | Recurring role | |
| 2020–present | Industry | Yasmin Kara-Hanani | Lead role |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Playwright | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Linda | Alice | Penelope Skinner | Performed at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art | |
| 2018 | Don Juan Comes Back from the War | Various roles | Ödön von Horváth | Staged at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
Audio
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Pride and Prejudice | Elizabeth Bennet (voice) | Available on Audible |
Accolades
| Award | Year | Category | Work | Outcome | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAFTA Film Awards | 2025 | Rising Star Award | N/A | Nominee | |
| BAFTA TV Awards | 2025 | Best Actress | Industry | Winner | |
| London Film Critics' Circle | 2025 | Breakthrough Performer | Back to Black | Nominee | |
| Savannah Film Festival | 2024 | Next Gen Award | N/A | Winner |